Page 22 of No Greater Love
Hey kiddo! How are you?
Paige
Good! Dad made me tea and we’re watching Great British Bake Off.
Perfect recovery plan. That's a quality show.
Paige
I like when the cakes fall apart.
I laughed out loud at that.
Same! The disasters are the best part.
Paige
Thank you again for today. It was really scary but you made it better.
Anytime, Paige. For real. That's what the number is for.
Paige
I've never asked Dad for anyone's number before. Just Miss Swanson and my friends parents.
The significance of this wasn't lost on me. Another text came through:
Paige
I'm glad he said yes.
Something warm unfurled in my chest.
Me too, kiddo. Get some rest. Tell your dad the tea was a good call.
Paige
Goodnight Tasha!
I set my phone down, that unexpected warmth still spreading through me. Something was changing between Nate and me. Something I wasn't sure I was ready for, but couldn't seem to stop.
And strangely enough... I wasn't sure I wanted to.
seven
nate
I finishedmy third straight trauma assessment of the night, signing off on the chart before sliding it into the completed rack. The board was finally clearing after the chaos of a two-car MVA that had sent five patients our way. Now, in the temporary lull, I allowed myself a moment to breathe.
Maria was leaning against the nurses' station, absorbed in her phone, her expression shifting between smiles and frowns as she scrolled Instagram.
"Checking up on our world travelers? I hope Sophia’s having a better time thanthis," I said, gesturing to the general chaos of the emergency department around us.
"Madison's been posting like crazy," Maria replied, turning her phone toward me. "Look at these mountains! And the lake! God, I need a vacation."
I studied the images, full of breathtaking landscapes, shimmering lakes, a vineyard stretching toward distant mountains. Professional quality scenery, but something felt off.
"Lots of landscape shots," I observed. "Not many people."
